No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

[freebyrd24]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Well I have another problem in this category now. I got all the parts for my distributor and got that all together and installed it back into the motor. Now I am trying to put on the timing belt. How does that "shroud" come off the motor? I took the 4 bolts around it off and the thing will not come off. It will spin around in a circle on tiself, but i just cant get it to come off, and I may have damaged the piece. Is this piece attached to anything else that need to come off?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Byrd, I am not sure what you are referring to when you say shroud. You need to remove the outer flywheel (8 5/16" fine thread bolts in a circle around the flywheel nut) and the stator (4 allen screws) to replace the timing belt.

You are not talking about the crankcase end cap, right? That stays on and the inner flywheel would need to be pulled to install the new timing belt.

 

[freebyrd24]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Sorry for the poor desciption, i didnt get into too much detail but you are right on the money. I already had the flywheel and stator off. But once that is off, the timing belt will not fit down onto the pulley. Its like a protective shroud around it that appears to maybe prevent the belt from coming off while in operation. But that also is restricting me from putting it on. Do you know what i mean? Its hard to explain, but thank you for the quick response. I fear that if that was the crankcase end cap that it is broken and i may have a tough time now. It had 4 bolts holding it down, and had a copper gasket underneath it. That piece seemed a little brittle and broke wen I tried to remove it. i just keep digging deeper and screwing up

 

[CharlieB]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Yes, he is talking about the end cap and now he's broken it.

How Bad?

If you got lucky and only broke the upper rim out, you may be able to still use it.

It IS a trick to put the belt thru the opening in the end cap and get it on the flywheel pulley, holding some 'tension' on the belt, pulling it towards the distributor to keep the belt on the flywheel pulley as the flywheel is lowered into position.

 

[freebyrd24]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

I broke the outer edge trying to lightly pry up on it. In the process, i broke one of the holes that the bolt went through. Does it hold oil in? Keep water out? Whats the purpose of the plate? Is it usable?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Byrd, That piece holds the upper main bearing on the crankshaft, and seals the end of the crankcase. The seal is an o-ring, which is 1/2" of so frm the edge. if you can, reinstall all the bolts and put a large washer on the bolt that threads into the broken part to hold it down.

I do not think they are matched to the crankcase, so you could get a junk part, if you need it. I have one I am not using (threw a rod on my '77 Merc 1500). it is a bit of work for me to pull it off, however.

 

[freebyrd24]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

So that part needs to sealed tighly then? Does it have to be waterproof and gasketed? I'm sure I can get the piece back in place and lined up, however there is a good section of it missing. Should I be worried that water may get in or oil may get out? I do not think I compromised the O-ring. I'll take a further examination over the weekend. But I could easily bolt it back up. But im just worried about the possiblility of destroying something by having a gap for air/water to get in, if its a real concern. thanks for all your help

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

There is no gasket, just the brass shim. You might put some hi-temp silicone on it to seal it up. Watch for fuel to leak out. If it does, you will likely need to replace it.

 

[freebyrd24]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

Ahh so that is a shim in there. Okay I will try that this weekend. That must be a real pain trying to slide the timing belt into that pulley then

 

[Chris1956]

Re: No Spark! 1973 Merc 85hp

I think I used to pull the center flywheel, install the timing belt and then reinstall the center flywheel.